Dasein Academy of Art is proud to announce that our talented students have contributed to Starbucks Malaysia's latest campaign, "Starbucks Brewing Art for Good: The Bearista Project." This initiative, part of Starbucks' 25th anniversary celebration in Malaysia, showcases life-sized Bearista bears designed by local artists and students, reflecting Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity.
Two mini bears based on their designs have been released: "Exploring Kuala Lumpur's Coffee Culture" and "A Blend of Kedah's Heritage and Modernity." Both designs capture the spirit of their inspirations, blending tradition with contemporary elements, and have earned admiration from Starbucks Malaysia and the public.
"Exploring Kuala Lumpur's Coffee Culture" draws inspiration from Malaysia’s love for coffee, particularly Nanyang coffee, a hallmark of traditional culture. The design incorporates intricate patterns inspired by the motifs on vintage coffee cups, saucers, and floor tiles of old kopitiams. Using 5 to 6 kilograms of reused coffee grounds mixed with acrylic paint, the bear’s textured surface evokes the richness of coffee not only visually, but through its coffee fragrance as well.
"A Blend of Kedah's Heritage and Modernity" reflects the natural and agricultural beauty of Kedah. Featuring motifs of padi and coffee plants, and the red eagle (Kedah’s state animal), the bear blends tradition with modern art elements, celebrating both heritage and progress.
Head of the Graphic Design Department, Samantha Cheah, expressed her pride: "It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to collaborate with a brand like Starbucks. I was impressed with their determination and commitment to this project."
Through this project, Starbucks not only highlights Malaysia’s diverse art scene but also supports local artists and charitable causes like the Palestine Relief Fund through MERCY Malaysia. The life-sized Bearista bears, including those by Dasein Academy of Art students, are on display at selected Starbucks locations, with mini Bearista bears available for purchase in stores.
Stay tuned for more updates as Starbucks will continue to release other mini bears based on more of our students’ designs, with the last bear to be released in December 2024!